What is phylogeny?
A hypothesis of the evolutionary history of a group of organisms with morphological or molecular data.
Phylogenetic tree and cladogram illustrate ancestor and descendant relationships.
What are the major groups in angiosperm classification according to APG IV?
- ANA grade
- Magnoliids
- Monocots
- Eudicots
APG IV stands for Angiosperm Phylogeny Group #4.
What are the characteristics of Magnoliids?
- Trees or shrubs
- Bisexual flowers with many unfused parts
- Actinomorphic, hypogynous flowers
- Perianth of tepals
Example: magnolia; fruits are follicles with bright red seeds.
What distinguishes monocots?
- One cotyledon
- Parallel leaf venation
- Floral parts in multiples of three
Includes orders like Asparagales and families like Orchidaceae.
What are the key features of the Orchidaceae family?
- Usually perennial herbs
- Complex flower structure
- Bisexual, strongly zygomorphic, epigenous flowers
- Many are epiphytic
- Require mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination
Flowers often have a modified petal forming a ‘lip’ or ‘landing pad’ for pollinators.
What defines the Liliaceae family?
- Perennial herbs with bulbs and corns
- Bisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous flowers
- Perianth of tepals
Examples: lily, tulip, onion, garlic.
What are the characteristics of the Poaceae family?
- Herbs with hollow-pithed stems
- Open-sheathe, distichous leaves with a ligule
- Unisexual or bisexual flowers with reduced perianth
- Fruit is a grain/caryopsis
Examples: oats, wheat, rice, maize, bamboo.
What is a significant role of grasses in agriculture?
Important forage plants
Endophyte (Epichloe festucae) enhances growth and provides protection from pests but can harm livestock.
What are the defining features of Eudicots?
- Two cotyledons
- Differentiated sepals and petals
- Flower parts in multiples of five (or four)
Not unique to Eudicots.
What are the characteristics of the Ranunculaceae family?
- Perennial or annual herbs, shrubs, vines
- Actinomorphic or zygomorphic flowers
- Many free anthers and carpels
Examples: aquilegia, Caltha, clematis, delphinium, ranunculus.
What defines the Fabaceae family?
- Trees, shrubs, vines, or herbs
- Stipulate compound leaves
- Pentamerous flowers
- Fruit is a legume
Examples: bean, pea, kaka beak, kowhai.
What is the floral structure of Fabaceae?
- Zygomorphic flower with 1 banner, 2 wing petals, and 2 petals fused into a keel
- Anthers can be found within the keel
Filaments of the stamens often fuse to form a tube.
What are the features of the Rosaceae family?
- Trees, shrubs, herbs, vines
- Bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous flowers
- Hypogynous or perigynous flowers
Examples: rose, apple, plum, cherry, pear.
What are the key characteristics of the Brassicaceae family?
- Herbs with glucosinolates
- Cross-shaped perianth
- Tetradynamous stamens
- Dry, dehiscent fruits (silicle or silique)
Economically important plants include kale, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts.
What are the features of the Lamiaceae family?
- Herbs or shrubs producing aromatic oils
- Square stems with oppositely arranged leaves
- Bisexual, zygomorphic, bilabiate flowers
Examples: mint, rosemary, lavender.
What distinguishes the Solanaceae family?
- Herbs or shrubs
- Bisexual, actinomorphic flowers
- Five petals fused to form a tube
Examples: tomato, potato, poroporo, dautra, brugmansia.
What are the characteristics of the Apiaceae family?
- Herbs, some shrubs and trees
- Compound umbel as a diagnostic feature
- Small bisexual, actinomorphic flowers
Examples: carrot, Queen Anne’s lace, dill, fennel.
What defines the Asteraceae family?
- Herbs, shrubs, trees, vines
- Capitulum as a diagnostic feature
- Ray florets are zygomorphic, disk florets are actinomorphic
Examples: daisy, sunflower, lettuce, thistle, artichoke.
